Ozone systems and methods for agricultural applications

ABSTRACT

An ozone system for agricultural applications generally includes a water flow line having an inlet for receiving a flow of clean water from a water source, an ozone injector suitable for producing a high concentration of ozone in oxygen, preferably from oxygen-enriched air, and a venturi injector for injecting the ozone gas into the water flowing through the flow line to produce an ozonated water stream. The system preferably including a spray assist assembly which provides a stream of gaseous component to assist in dispensing the ozonated water fro agricultural application. The entire system, or at least a substantial portion of the system, is mountable on a motorized vehicle to provide ease in applying the ozonated water stream from the system to agricultural crops, particularly living grapevines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to ozone systems and methods andmore specifically relates to such systems and methods for agriculturalapplications, for example for treating living grapevines in vineyards.

Ozone exists as an unstable blue gas. It has been found to be aneffective oxidizing agent, and has been used for the purification ofdrinking water, in industrial waste treatment, for deodorizing air andsewage gases, as a bleach for waxes, oils and textiles, and as anoxidizing agent in chemical processes. Furthermore, in sufficientconcentrations, ozone is known to destroy bacteria, fungi, viruses andother microorganisms. Various devices and processes have been developedfor disinfecting air and surfaces using ozone gas or ozonated water.

Ozonated water can be used for sanitizing surfaces without heattreatment and without the use of potentially harmful chemicals. This isof particular interest in the development of processes using ozone fortreating the surfaces of food products. Unlike other rinse agents, anozone/aqueous rinse does not leave behind a residue that later needs tobe removed from the food product surface.

Not surprisingly, therefor, various methods and systems for treatingfood products using the known antimicrobial properties of ozone havebeen developed. More recently, processes using ozone for the treatmentof living, agricultural crops have been proposed.

Typically, treatment of crops using ozonated water is accomplished asfollows. A stationary water station is provided, for example astationary tank having a 500 gallon capacity. Ozone gas is introducedinto the water tank to form an ozone water mixture in the tank. Atractor or other vehicle is filled with a portion of this ozone watermixture, which is then transported and sprayed onto agricultural cropsto treat diseases and pests, such as unwanted or harmful microorganisms.

Smith, Jr. et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,498, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein in its entirety by this specific reference,discloses an ozone spray system and method for treating bacteria orfungi on agricultural crops, namely a crop of growing Vidalia onions.The Smith Jr. et al system is an agricultural field and crop sprayerthat produces and applies ozonated water to such an agricultural crop.According to Smith Jr. et al, ozonated water is produced byrecirculating water to a tank initially containing water free of ozone.The water from the tank is passed through a venturi injector connectedto an ozone generator, and then back into the tank until a desired ozoneconcentration is reached in the tank. A vehicle, for example a tractordriven vehicle, is used to transport a portion of the ozone watermixture through a field of agricultural crops. Ozonated water is sprayedfrom the tank and onto the crops.

One drawback of the Smith Jr. et al system, as well as other similarsystems, is that ozone concentration in the water tank is increasedincrementally and gradually as the water is recirculated continuouslythrough an ozone injector, until the desired concentration is reached.Thus, the Smith Jr. et al system therefor requires careful monitoring ofthe ozone level in the tank, as well as a relatively long waiting periodbefore an effective concentration is reached.

Entire vineyards of grapevines have been seriously damaged or destroyedby the rapid spread of microbial infestations on the growing plants.Generally, these organisms take up residency in the woody stock of avine and spread to the foliage throughout the growing season, ultimatelydamaging the berries and contaminating the juice. Suchdamage/destruction has substantial adverse economical impact, forexample, on the wine industry.

It would be advantageous to provide new systems and methods whichaddress one or more of these concerns, for example, while treatingagricultural crops, such as living and/or growing grapevines invineyards.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

New ozone systems and methods for agricultural applications have beendiscovered. The present invention provides safe and effective systemsand methods of ozone treatment for agricultural applications whichaddress one or more of the above-noted and other problems. The presentozone systems and methods are highly effective in the treatment ofagricultural crops, particularly in the treatment of grapevines invineyards for control of mildew, other fungi and othermicroorganism-based infestations. The present systems arestraightforward in construction and use. The present methods are easy topractice and provide effective treatments with no significantdetrimental effect on the crop or crops being treated.

An ozone system for agricultural applications, in accordance with thepresent invention, generally comprises a portable unit that functions tocombine a stream or flow of water, preferably substantially free ofozone, with ozone, preferably produced from oxygen-enriched air, tocreate an ozonated water stream which, substantially directly afterbeing formed, is used to treat agricultural crops, such as plants, fruiton plants, foliage on plants, grapevines and the like. Unlike earliersystems using ozonated water to treat plant diseases, the presentinvention uses an ozonated water stream formed by a single pass streamof water through an ozone injector, dispensed or applied substantiallydirectly after formation to the crops, preferably employing a sprayassist assembly which advantageously provides a high volume, lowpressure gaseous component to assist the dispensing of the ozonatedwater stream.

Moreover, unlike other ozonated water spray systems, the present systemspreferably are designed as self-contained, preferably portable, units.The systems include a fluid passageway having an inlet for receiving aflow of water, for example, from a water source. An ozone generator isincluded. Preferably, ozone is generated using a corona discharge ozonegenerator for producing a gaseous stream comprising a high concentrationof ozone from oxygen, an oxygen-enriched gaseous stream or air.Preferably, the corona discharge generator is adapted to generate ozonein quantities of between about 5 and about 30 grams per hour, and at aconcentration of between about 1% and about 5% by weight of theozone-containing gaseous stream. The ozone preferably is generateddirectly from an oxygen-enriched gaseous stream, e.g., produced by anoxygen concentrator assembly, for example, of conventional design, orair. The ozone from the gaseous stream is introduced into the waterstream or flow by any suitable means, for example, using a venturiinjector or like injection assembly. The venturi injector provides asource of suction which urges the ozone-containing gaseous stream fromthe ozone generator into the water stream or flow. The water is passedthrough the venturi injector only once prior to dispensing the ozonatedwater onto the crops through an outlet assembly connected to the fluidpassageway. A spray assist assembly preferably is included, as describedelsewhere herein, to assist in dispensing the ozonated water foragricultural application.

Optionally, the present ozone systems may include one or more of severalsubsystems, such as a degassing assembly, hereinafter sometimes alsoreferred to as a degas/separator assembly, for removing undissolvedozone gas from the ozonated water stream, and an ozone destruct assemblyin communication with the degassing assembly, for destructing theundissolved ozone gas, and preferably venting the product of ozonedestruction, preferably oxygen, into the atmosphere. To ensure effectivedestruction of ozone gas, a two step process is preferably employed inthe destruct assembly. Thus, the undissolved ozone gas stream preferablyis both heated and thereafter passed through a catalytic chamber toprovide for enhanced ozone destruction.

One or more components of the present systems, such as the oxygenconcentration assemblies, the ozone generators, the ozone injectionassemblies and the spray assist assemblies, preferably all of suchsystem components, are sized and adapted to be mountable, directly orindirectly, to a motorized vehicle for transporting during operationthereof. Using such a motorized vehicle allows the present systems to beused effectively in relatively large crop fields, e.g., vineyards. The“one-thru” ozone generation feature of the present systems also enhancesthe ability of the present systems to treat relatively large fields.

In addition, in one advantageous embodiment of the invention, a pressureregulating subsystem is provided for maintaining a consistent, regulatedinternal pressure of the aqueous stream as the stream is processedwithin the unit or system. The pressure regulating subsystem preferablyincludes a plurality of, for example three, pressure regulator valvesfor controlling pressure in various parts of the unit, both upstream anddownstream of the venturi injector. In this embodiment, the system isadapted to receive a flow of water from any suitable water source, forexample, a municipal water supply, which may have different pressures atdifferent locations, a water reservoir, a stationary water tank, or atransportable water tank mounted to a motorized vehicle. Advantageously,the system is adapted to meet different, varied parameters that arecustomer or user specific, for example, water reservoir pump capacity.Because the system is a “once through” or single pass ozone generationsystem, there is no recirculation of ozonated water back to the watersource, for example, the water tank. Therefore, the volume of water inthe tank or other water source may fluctuate as the source is emptiedand refilled, without affecting the concentration of ozone in theozonated water being applied to the crops.

In addition, initial water pressure to the system may be provided by apump assembly which is powered by a motorized vehicle on which theremainder of the system is mounted and/or transported during operation,for example, in a crop field, e.g., vineyard. Thus, for example, whilethe tractor is pulling the system between rows of crops at asubstantially constant speed, constant incoming water pressure is beingsupplied by the pump, thus enabling consistent dispensing of theozonated water to the crops.

In another broad aspect of the present invention, methods for treatingan agricultural crop are provided. Such methods, in general, comprise:

providing a flow of water;

generating a gaseous stream containing ozone;

introducing the ozone from the gaseous stream into the flow of water toform an ozonated water stream;

combining the ozonated water stream with a flowing gaseous component,preferably comprising air, to produce a mixed gaseous component/ozonatedwater stream; and

dispensing the mixed gaseous component/ozonated water stream to anagricultural crop.

The present systems, as described elsewhere herein, may be employed inpracticing the present methods.

In one very useful embodiment, the present methods further comprisetransporting the ozonated water stream on a motorized vehicle prior tothe dispensing step.

Although the present methods may be used to treat any suitableagricultural crop, such methods are particularly useful to treat livinggrapevines in vineyards. Such treatment methods have been found to bevery effective in controlling/managing/preventing microbial infestationson grapevines while having no significant detrimental effect on thegrapevines, on the foliage or on the fruit or wine produced therefrom.In addition, such methods are environmentally friendly and do notpresent any significant health risks to the humans practicing themethods or who are otherwise in the vineyards.

Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combinationof two or more of such features, is included within the scope of thepresent invention provided that the features included in suchcombinations are not mutually inconsistent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more clearly understood and the advantagesthereof more readily appreciated with reference to the followingdetailed description and claims when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an ozone system inaccordance with the invention being used to treat grapevines;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an ozone system in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 2a shows a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a suitable arrangement of components of theozone system shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 2 a, an ozone system for agriculturalapplications in accordance with the present invention is shown generallyat 10.

The system 10 is effective for treating grapevines 12 in a vineyard 14by controlling harmful mildew and other microbial infestations that areknown to cause serious and widespread destruction of these grapevinesand/or loss in grape production.

Although the following description, for the sake of clarity, oftenrefers to the system 10 being used in the treatment of grapevines, thepresent invention should not be considered limited thereby. For example,those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that obviousvariations of the present systems may be used for treatment of otheragricultural crops which harbor the same and/or other types of microbialinfestations and/or pests that are responsive to ozone treatment.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 2 and FIG. 2a, the ozone system 10generally comprises a piping assembly or fluid passageway 20, includingan inlet 24 adapted to receive a flow of water from a water tank orwater source. The fluid passageway 20 is structured for providing acontinuous flow of water from a clean, for example, substantiallyozone-free, water source through the inlet 24 and ultimately toapplication of the water as an ozonated water discharge spray 27 havinga concentration of ozone effective in reducing levels of harmfulmicroorganisms on the grapevine.

The water source may be provided by, for example, a municipal watersupply, a stationary water reservoir fixed proximate the agriculturalfield (vineyard) to be treated, a portable water tank and pump assembly,or other means for providing a flow of fresh or clean water. FIG. 1shows an embodiment of the invention in which the water source isprovided by a tank 28 mounted to a motorized tractor vehicle 30. One ormore components of the system 10 can be adapted to be mounted ormountable directly to a motorized vehicle, such as to a tractor or othermotorized vehicle, or indirectly to a motorized vehicle, such as to atrailer or pull cart which is removably coupled to and pulled by amotorized vehicle, for example, a tractor or other motorized vehicle.Both such direct and indirect embodiments are included within the scopeof the present invention.

The ozone system 10 further comprises an ozone generator 38 forproducing a gaseous stream containing ozone. The ozone generator 38preferably is comprised of a corona discharge ozone generator, whichtypically has the attributes of being relatively small in size incomparison to other ozone generators, and produces a relatively largeamount of ozone, for example, at least about 5 grams of ozone per hour.More specifically, the ozone generator 38 is adapted to generate betweenabout 5 and about 30 grams of ozone per hour and at concentrations ofbetween about 1% and about 5% by weight of the ozone-containing gaseousstream. The system 10 may, and preferably does, also comprise an oxygenconcentrator 40, for example, of conventional design, or other suitablemeans for providing a sufficiently high concentration of oxygen, forexample, oxygen gas present in oxygen-enriched air, to the ozonegenerator 30 to obtain the required quantity and concentration of ozone.

The required ozone quantity varies depending on various factors, forexample, the size of the crop field or area to be treated, the number ofrows of crops, e.g., grapevines, to be treated, the type of crop to betreated, the density of the crop in the area to be treated and the likefactors.

In addition, the present invention comprises means for introducing theozone from the gaseous stream into the flow of water in the fluidpassageway 20. Preferably, the means for introducing the ozone comprisesa venturi injector 42 in fluid communication with the ozone generator38. The ozone from the gaseous stream is introduced into the flow ofwater to provide mixing and dissolving of the ozone in the water, toform a stream of ozonated water in line 43 of the fluid passageway 20.

Preferably, the venturi injector 42 provides a source of suction throughline 44 for example, for vacuum operation of the ozone generator 38.Accordingly, in this embodiment, the gaseous stream containing ozone isnot “injected” into the water stream under pressure. The pressure in theozone generator 38 may be held substantially constant, for example, in arange of about 3 inches Hg to about 5 inches Hg, regardless of otherflow considerations. By operating the ozone generator 38 under negativepressure, the possibility of any substantial quantity of ozone escapinginto the atmosphere is prevented.

Optionally, the present ozone system 10 may further comprise a degassingassembly 50, connected to, or in communication with, the fluidpassageway 20 downstream of the ozone injector 42, as shownschematically in FIG. 2. The degassing assembly 50 and the ozonedestruction assembly 56 are not essential. For example, in otherembodiments of the invention, the ozone system 10 does not include adegassing system, such in the embodiment of the invention. The preferredsystem provides that the ozonated water from the injector 42 passesdirectly to the outlet assembly 53. As is discussed hereinafter, thepresent system 10 is useful and effective and avoids the release ofharmful and/or dangerous amounts/concentrations of ozone to theatmosphere often without the need for the assemblies 50 and 56. However,if such assemblies are used, upon the ozonated water stream in line 43passing through the degassing assembly 50, undissolved ozone in thestream is separated and substantially removed from the stream. Theprocessed ozonated water stream, now having undissolved ozonesubstantially removed therefrom, is passed from the degassing assembly50 through line 52 of fluid flow passageway 20 to the outlet assembly53.

The degassing assembly 50 is described in greater detail hereinafterwith reference to FIG. 3, and preferably is similar in construction to adegas separator assembly sold by Del Industries, Inc. under the tradename DVX-2400, or DVX-3600.

For treating the undissolved ozone gas stream produced by the degassingassembly 50, a ozone destruct assembly 56 may optionally be provided. Asthe undissolved ozone gas stream exits the degassing assembly 50 throughline 224, it is received by the ozone destruct assembly 56 whichprocesses this ozone gas stream to produce harmless oxygen (O₂) gaswhich may be safely vented into the atmosphere, for example through agas exit port 68.

The ozone destruct assembly 56, if any, preferably comprises a two stagedestruction process. More specifically, the destruction assembly 56 isadapted to provide both thermal and catalytic destruction of the ozonegas passing through the destruct assembly 56. The destruct assembly 56may be similar in construction to an ozone destruct unit sold by DelIndustries, Inc. under the trade name DD-0100, and will be described ingreater detail hereinafter with reference to FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the present ozone system 10 additionally comprisesoutlet assembly 53, for example including sprayer heads 54 connected tothe fluid passageway 20 downstream of the ozone injector 42, fordispensing the stream of ozonated water to the grapevine 12. Outletassembly 53 includes a plurality of sprayer heads 54 oriented in variousdirections toward the grapevine 12 and spaced apart so as to treat allof the above-ground parts of grapevine 12, for example, the woody stockof the vine, the foliage of the vine and the berries (grapes) on thevine.

In a very useful embodiment of the invention, the outlet assembly 53includes an air-assisted spray rig, such as blower 55 and relatedpiping. This spray rig may be of any construction suitable to performthe function or functions of providing a stream of gaseous component,preferably air, to provide for an assisted ozonated water spray. In oneembodiment, the spray rig may be similar in construction to spray rigsconventionally used for treating crops with liquid chemicals. The sprayrig should be chosen so as to have no significant detrimental effect onthe ozone being dispensed on the crop being treated. The spray rigprovides a high volume, low pressure air flow which is mixed with theozonated water stream prior to dispensing the ozonated water to thecrop. Such spray rig often includes a blower or fan which provides thedesired flow of gaseous component. For example, the spray rig or sprayassist assembly includes a central blower 55 (or alternatively,individual turbo blowers (not shown) on each dispensing head or nozzle54) in communication with the portion of the fluid passageway 20carrying the ozonated water.

Advantageously, the blower 55 is sized and adapted to prevent harmfulconcentrations of ozone gas from being released through the nozzles 54by dilution. For example, the flow of air from the blower 55 may be asmuch as about 20,000 times a volume of the undissolved ozone dispensed.

In addition, the low pressure of the dispensed air/ozonated water spraymixture does not cause any substantial damage to the grapevines, andthus is beneficial relative to the use of relatively higher pressureliquid spray apparatus. High volume, low pressure spraying of air mixedwith water having a high concentration of ozone disperses the ozone ontocrops substantially uniformly and at concentrations effective to destroyfungi, mildew and other undesirable microorganisms, with a reduced riskof physically harming or damaging the crops.

It is noted that the spray assisted assembly utilizing the high volume,low pressure air flow, often dilutes and may even substantiallydestroy/remove undissolved ozone gas that may be present in the ozonatedwater stream, when the air is mixed or combined therewith. Thus, inaccordance with the present invention, the ozone degassing and ozonedestruct assemblies may not be necessary. The present systems, includingspray assist assemblies and without degassing and destruct assembliesare highly advantageous, providing both cost and performanceeffectiveness benefits.

In one embodiment of the invention, the ozone system 10 is designed tobe a portable unit that can be connected to a variety of water sourceshaving different pressure and flow capacities. The ozone generator 38,oxygen concentrator 40, venturi injector 42, degassing assembly 50 (ifany), ozone destruct assembly 56 (if any) and blower 55 are allcontained within a housing 80 (see FIG. 1), sized and adapted to bemounted to a vehicle, for example the motorized vehicle 30 shown in FIG.1. The housing 80 may be made of stainless steel or other suitablematerial or combination of materials. The water source 26 may also bemounted to the vehicle 30, and initial water pressure to the system 10is provided by means of a pump assembly 84 which may be powered by thevehicle motor, for example by means of power line 86 connecting thevehicle motor with a pump assembly motor (not shown).

Turning back to FIG. 2, the system 10 may further comprise a pressureregulator subsystem 90 located within the housing 80 (FIG. 1), connectedto the fluid flow passageway 20, and adapted to control internal fluidpressure of the system 10. Preferably, the pressure regulator subsystem90 is structured and adapted to control pressure of fluid flow in aplurality of locations along the fluid passageway, for example bothdownstream and upstream of the venturi injector 42. More specifically,the pressure regulator subsystem 90 is adapted to reduce an initialpressure of the incoming water stream to between about 10 psi to about15 psi, and then to increase the pressure to a pressure sufficient foroperating the venturi injector 42, for example to about 110 psi.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a plan view of some of the components of thesystem 10 suitably arranged within the housing 80 (not shown in FIG. 3)is shown. On the upstream side of the venturi injector 42, the pressureregulator subsystem 90 may include a pressure regulating valve 140, acheck valve 142, and a pressure pump 144. A line 148 places the inlet 24in fluid communication with an intake 150 of the pressure pump 144.

Functionally installed in line 148 is the pressure regulating valve 140and the check valve 142, with the check valve 142 being downstream ofthe regulating valve 140.

The valve 140 reduces the pressure of the incoming aqueous stream (i.e.the water stream from water source 26 not shown in FIG. 3) to below thelow end of the water supply pressure range. For example, the pressureregulating valve 140 may be adapted to reduce the initial pressure ofthe stream to between approximately 10 psi to approximately 15 psi. Theincoming aqueous stream is controlled to a maximum setting in order tostabilize initial pressure of the aqueous stream and preventover-pressurization of internal components of the system 10.

The check valve 142 is provided in line 148 to prevent backflow of theaqueous stream in the system 10 to the water supply. Another function ofthe check valve 142 is discussed below in conjunction with bypass valve146.

The pressure pump 144 may have a capacity of approximately 10 gallonsper minute at approximately 110 psi, in order to provide sufficientpressure of water for injection of ozone gas in venturi injector 42. Asshown in FIG. 3, the pressure pump intake 150 is in fluid communicationwith line 148, and pump discharge 152 is in fluid communication withwater line 154 leading to the venturi injector 42.

The pressure regulating subsystem 90 preferably includes a bypassarrangement 156 for allowing substantially unrestricted flow capacity tothe pressure pump 144. For example, at least a portion of the aqueousstream discharging the pressure pump 144 at 152 may be recirculatedthrough a bypass line 157 to the pressure pump intake 150. A bypassvalve 158 is shown installed in the bypass line 157 for controlling therate and amount of water being recirculated. The bypass arrangement 156enables the pressure pump 144 to operate at full capacity regardless ofvariations in the flow of incoming aqueous stream or variations in theflow of the ozone/aqueous discharge stream through outlet line 53.

The aqueous stream discharging from the pressure pump 144 along line 154is injected with ozone-containing gas from the ozone generator 38 toproduce the ozonated aqueous stream (i.e. ozone dissolved in water) inline 159. The ozone dissolved in the discharge stream is preferablygreater than approximately 0.5 ppm, and more preferably, is greater thanabout 1 ppm. By having the dissolved ozone in the discharge stream begreater than about 1 ppm, the ozone concentration is effectively highenough to kill microorganisms such as bacteria, virus, mold, spores,yeast, mildew and fungus.

Effective dissolution of ozone gas in the aqueous stream is ensured bymeans of high pressure flow of about 110 psi into the venturi injector42. In effect, the pressurized water from pressure pump 144 is“injected” with ozone-containing gas to provide mixing and dissolving ofthe ozone gas in the water. As mentioned hereinabove, the ozonegenerator 38 is operated under negative pressure.

Preferably, the pressure regulator subsystem 90 also includes a backpressure regulator 162 installed downstream of the venturi injector 42for maintaining a constant pressure of ozonated water from the injector42.

Another advantageous feature of the present invention is a flow switch172 installed along the fluid passageway 20 and adapted to detect flowin the venturi injector 42 upon the opening of an outlet valve, forexample spray valve (not shown) to dispense ozonated water from sprayerheads 54 onto the crops. For example, upon opening of the spray valve,water flow is detected through the venturi injector 42 which willactivate the pressure pump 144 as well as the ozone generator 38. Thisarrangement ensures that ozone is only being generated and the pressurepump 144 is only operating when the venturi injector 42 is operating.

The optional degassing assembly 50 and the ozone destruction assembly 56(hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “ozone destruct unit”) may bemore clearly understood with specific reference to FIG. 3. If suchassemblies 50 and 56 are included in system 10, the ozonated waterstream from injector 40 is passed through the degas separator 50 throughan inlet port 214 and discharge the degassed ozone/aqueous dischargestream through an outlet port 216 at substantially the same pressure. Anundissolved ozone gas stream exits the degas assembly 50 through a gasexit port 222, and is directed into the ozone destruction assembly 56through line 224.

Preferably, the ozone destruction assembly 56 provides a two stage ozonedestruction process. More specifically, the destruct unit 56 is adaptedto provide both thermal and catalytic destruction of the ozone gas.

The ozone destruction assembly 56 may include a housing 302 with a gasentrance inlet 304. Within the housing 302 is a heating element 316adapted to be connected to a 120 V power source for example, and achamber 324 containing a catalyst (not shown) capable of converting theundissolved ozone into oxygen. The catalyst preferably is manganesedioxide, although other suitable ozone destruct catalysts, such asactivated carbon, may be employed. The undissolved ozone gas is directedthrough the inlet 304 and is heated and dried by the heating element316. The heated gas is directed through the catalyst chamber 324 priorto being discharged as an oxygen stream (O₂) through an outlet 326.Heating of the gas stream provides for a more rapid, efficient rate ofozone destruction by the catalyst. In addition, the heating inhibitscondensation formation in the destruct unit 56.

It is desirable to prevent water from reaching the catalyst in thecatalyst chamber 324. Accordingly, means are preferably provided forpreventing water from entering the ozone gas line 224. A ball valvearrangement (not shown) may be provided for closing the gas line 224 inthe event a level of the ozone/aqueous liquid in the degas assembly 22approaches the outlet 222. In addition, a surface turbulence reducer 240may be provided in the degas assembly 50. The reducer 240 may becomprised of a perforated disk extending laterally across the interiorof the degas assembly 50.

The present systems produce an ozonated water stream having a highdissolved ozone concentration. The concentration of dissolved ozone inthe ozonated water is effective in controlling and/or managing thegrowth and/or spread of mildew, mold and other harmfulmicroorganism-based infestations, without the need to recirculateozonated water continuously through an ozone injector in order to reacha sufficiently high ozone concentration. Furthermore, despite therelatively high ozone concentration, the ozonated water stream isdischarged from the present systems without any significant detrimentaleffect of the ozone on the humans operating the systems or on theenvironment.

While this invention has been described with respect to various specificexamples and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited thereto, and that it can be variously practiced within thescope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ozone system for agricultural application, thesystem comprising: a fluid processing assembly including an inlet forreceiving a substantially ozone-free flow of water from a water source;an ozone generator for producing a gaseous stream containing ozone; anozone injector assembly in communication with the ozone generator andthe fluid processing assembly and effective in introducing ozone fromthe gaseous stream into the flow of substantially ozone-free water toform a stream of ozonated water; and the fluid processing assembly beingstructured as a once-through system effective to pass the stream ofozonated water from the ozone injector assembly directly to anagricultural crop, and the system being structured to be located on atransportable vehicle during use.
 2. The system of claim 1 furthercomprising a vehicle for transporting the system during use.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2 further comprising a water tank containing the watersource.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid processing assemblyis structured such that substantially no ozonated water is returned tothe ozone injector assembly or is stored in the system.
 5. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising an oxygen concentrator assembly for producingan oxygen-enriched gas stream for providing to the ozone generator. 6.The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid processing assembly furthercomprises a spray assist assembly for providing a gaseous stream forcombining with the stream of ozonated water to form an ozonated waterspray.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the spray assist assemblycomprises a blower.
 8. The system of claim 1 further comprising apressure regulator subsystem adapted to control pressure of fluid flowthrough the fluid processing assembly.
 9. An ozone system foragricultural application, the system comprising: a fluid processingassembly including an inlet for receiving a flow of substantiallyozone-free water from a water source; an ozone generator for producing agaseous stream containing ozone; an ozone injector assembly incommunication with the ozone generator and the fluid processing assemblyand effective in introducing ozone from the gaseous stream into the flowof substantially ozone-free water to form a stream of ozonated water;and an outlet assembly in fluid communication with the ozone injectorassembly and the fluid processing assembly including a spray assistassembly effective in combining a gaseous stream with the stream ofozonated water to form an ozonated water spray; the fluid processingassembly being structured as a once-through system effective to pass thestream of ozonated water from the outlet assembly directly to anagricultural crop in the form of the ozonated water spray.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9 wherein the system is structured to be located on atransportable vehicle during use.
 11. The system of claim 9 wherein thefluid processing assembly is structured such that substantially noozonated water is returned to the ozone injector assembly or is storedin the system.
 12. The system of claim 9 further comprising an oxygenconcentrator assembly connected to the ozone generator and effective inproducing oxygen-enriched gas for providing to the ozone generator. 13.The system of claim 9 wherein the spray assist assembly comprises ablower.
 14. The system of claim 9 further comprising a pressureregulator subsystem adapted to control pressure of fluid flow throughthe fluid processing assembly.
 15. The system of claim 9 which furthercomprises a vehicle for transporting the system in use.
 16. The systemof claim 9 further comprising a water tank containing the water source.17. A method for treating an agricultural crop, the method comprisingthe steps of: providing a flow of substantially ozone-free water;generating an ozone-containing gaseous stream; introducingozone-containing the gaseous stream into the flow of water to form asubstantially continuously flowing ozonated water stream; combining theozonated water stream with a flowing gaseous component to form aozonated water spray; and directly applying the ozonated water spray toan agricultural crop; the step of introducing comprising introducing thegaseous stream into the flow of substantially ozone-free water no morethan once, such that substantially no ozonated water is returned to theozone-containing gaseous stream or is stored prior to the step ofdirectly applying.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the steps ofgenerating, introducing and combining are all performed by means of atransportable water processing system.
 19. The method of claim 18further comprising transporting the water processing system and thenrepeating the generating, introducing and combining steps.
 20. Themethod of claim 17 wherein the agricultural crop is a crop of livinggrapevines.
 21. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of generatingcomprises generating ozone at a rate of between about 5 grams per hourand about 30 grams per hour from oxygen-enriched gas.
 22. A method fortreating an agricultural crop, the method comprising the steps of:providing a flow of substantially ozone-free water; generating anozone-containing gaseous stream; introducing the ozone-containinggaseous stream into the flow of water to form a substantiallycontinuously flowing ozonated water stream; and directly applying thesubstantially continuously flowing ozonated water stream to anagricultural crop; the step of introducing comprising introducing thegaseous stream into the flow of substantially ozone-free water no morethan once, such that substantially no ozonated water is returned to theozone-containing gaseous stream or is stored prior to the step ofdirectly applying, and the steps of generating and introducing are allperformed by means of a transportable water processing system.
 23. Themethod of claim 22 further comprising transporting the water processingsystem and then repeating the generating, and introducing steps.
 24. Themethod of claim 22 wherein the agricultural crop is a crop of livinggrapevines.
 25. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of generatingcomprises generating ozone at a rate of between about 5 grams per hourand about 30 grams per hour from oxygen-enriched gas.
 26. The method ofclaim 22 further comprising, before the step of applying, the step ofcombining the ozonated water stream with a flowing gaseous componentsuch that the substantially continuously flowing ozonated water streamforms an ozonated water spray.